The Drug Enforcement Administration will establish the Omaha Field Division -- its 23rd division office in the United States -- on July 8. The division will include Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

"This action converts the existing Omaha District Office into a division in an effort to enhance DEA enforcement efforts within the Great Plain states region and unify drug trafficking investigations under a single Special Agent in Charge," said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson.

"DEA anticipates that this change will produce more effective investigations on methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid trafficking, all of which have a significant impact on the region," said DEA Omaha's Special Agent in Charge Matthew R. Barden.

The division will also better align DEA with the U.S. Attorneys' Offices districts in those areas, similar to current ATF and FBI offices, and also to the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program.

The Omaha Division will be led by Special Agent in Charge Matthew R. Barden, who comes from the St. Louis Division where he served as Associate Special Agent in Charge.